24/08/2025
Two postgraduate students from the Health Technology Assessment Program, Mahidol University (MUHTA), earned distinguished poster presentation awards at the 12th HTAsiaLink Conference held on 20–22 August 2025 at the Singapore EXPO Convention and Exhibition Centre, Singapore. The conference, themed “Unlocking Value through HTA in Asia: Forging Ahead Together,” brought together leading scholars, practitioners, and students in health technology assessment from across the Asia-Pacific region. MUHTA faculty actively supported the event and guided student participation.
Among the academic highlights, Dr. Panida Yoopecth, a Ph.D. student, received the 2nd Prize Poster Presentation Award in the Economic Evaluation Track for her thesis titled “Cost-utility analysis of peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease patients with fluid and sodium overload in Thailand.” Her research, supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Usa Chaikledkaew, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Montarat Thavorncharoensap, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sitaporn Youngkong, contributes critical insights into cost-effective treatment strategies within the Thai healthcare context.
In parallel, Mr. Isah Addulmalik Ozovehe, a Master of Science student, was awarded the 2nd Prize Poster Presentation Award in the Health Services Research Track for his work titled “Assessing progress of patient involvement in health technology assessment in Southeast Asia through the use of a balanced scorecard.” His study was done together with his classmates in MUHTA programs, under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Montarat Thavorncharoensap, provides a novel framework to evaluate and enhance stakeholder engagement in health decision-making processes across the region.
The students' achievements are a testament to the academic rigor and international relevance of the MUHTA program. Their contributions were showcased alongside other presentations from MUHTA faculty and students, positioning Mahidol University as a regional leader in health policy and HTA education. Participation in this conference provided valuable opportunities for academic exchange, policy dialogue, and professional networking.
The recognition received by Dr. Yoopecth and Mr. Ozovehe reinforces the role of MUHTA in generating evidence-based research that supports effective, inclusive, and sustainable healthcare decisions. Their work advances several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, through improved health policy evaluation; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, by promoting methodological innovations; and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, through advocacy for patient participation in health technology assessment across diverse Southeast Asian contexts.
